Understanding the Different Types of ADHD, and How to Help Each Specific Type

You are here

The least flexible character in all of the stories of Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin has got to be Rabbit. Oh, he can get a lot of things done, and he's the one character who will be prepared when winter comes, but he has a very hard time shifting from one activity to another. He is absolutely "task oriented" and is focused to whatever that task might be.

The person with "Over-Focused ADHD" is much the same. He has trouble shifting attention from one activity to another, and he frequently "gets stuck" in loops of negative thoughts. He can be obsessive, and very inflexible. He can also be oppositional and argumentative to parents.

He may be like a "bull dog" and not give up until he gets his way, or until his worn-out parents finally say, "yes," to his 100th request for something. His parents are often worn-out, worn-down, fed-up, and ready to break. Parenting a child like this is hard.

Someone with "Over-Focused ADHD" is like Rabbit in that he may worry a lot, even about things that don't really matter very much. He can be oppositional at times because of his worry or anxiety, or just because he wants his way. He may argue a lot about getting his way. In this way he may seem obsessive, or compulsive. He will typically have a hard time shifting from one activity to another, and may need a lot of warning ahead of time before being asked to make a change in what he's doing. He may always seem to demand his way in things.

ADHD Brain : Over Focused and Rigid

The cause of this type of ADHD is an over-active Anterior Cingulate Gyrus. This part of the brain is over-active whether at rest, or under a "work load." And, to make matters more complicated, when a "work load" is put on the brain, such as school work or a chore to be completed, there is the common ADHD symptom of decreased activity level in the Pre-Frontal Cortex as seen with the Inattentive or Winnie the Pooh type of ADHD.

Treatment Strategies for Over-Focused ADHD

In this type of ADHD, treatment with stimulants can actually make symptoms worse. So can over the counter treatment with too much L-Tyrosine to increase dopamine production. So be wise with your treatment choices.

We recommend our ADHD Eating Program to start with. You can find this at the ADHD Information Library at http://newideas.net/adhd/adhd-diet . It is important to use the eating program even if you are using other interventions, such as medications, EEG biofeedback training, or a combination of the nutraceuticals ATTEND and MEMORIN. Each of these interventions can be very helpful, and combined with the eating program can make a "day and night" difference. Remember, no matter how effective your intervention may be, if you are eating junk foods you will not get as many benefits from your treatment interventions.

Great Products By VAXA International:

ATTEND for ADHD symptoms : begin small and work up to just two or three capsules per day in divided doses. Our studies showed that about 70% of those who used Attend for 30 or more days made improvements with the product. The ATTEND contains L-Tyrosine, which increases dopamine production. ATTEND also contains GABA, DL-Phenylalyne, Ginko, Pycnogenol and Grape Seed Extracts, 5-HTP, pregnenolone, DMAE, and more. See the ATTEND ingredients list here.

EXTRESS for symptoms of impulsivity, temper, restlessness, and anxiety. The EXTRESS contains GABA, DL-PA, 5-HTP, and St. John's Wort. Extress will be the main focus of this treatment, and anywhere from two capsules, up to six per day might be needed.

DEPREX for symptoms of worry or agitation. Just one or two capsules per day. The DEPREX contains additional GABA, as well as lots more DL-Phenylalyne, 5-HTP, and just 2 capsules of DEPREX contain 320 mg of St. John's Wort.

Some experts recommend 300 mg of St. John's Wort per day for children (600 mg per day for adults), 5-HTP, and B Vitamins.

The YES Omega Oils are the finest available. We would recommend these to everyone, with or without ADHD. And since there are studies that implicate deficiencies of Essential Fatty Acids as contributing to ADHD symptoms, we strongly recommend that children, teens, and adults take EFA supplements (Omega Oils). These Oils are very effective, and very safe as they are made from plant sources (they contain no mercury from fish sources), and they are made in the proper ratio of O3s to O6s. These omega oils are excellent for heart health, immune function, hair, nails, eyes, brain function, and more.